Crime
Four Charged in Alleged New Year’s Eve Bombing Plot Targeting Multiple Sites in Southern California
Four individuals have been charged in connection with an alleged bombing plot in Southern California, according to a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
Prosecutors allege the defendants conspired to construct and possess an unregistered destructive device, in violation of federal law.
The complaint states that the plot involved plans to plant explosive devices at five separate locations in the Los Angeles area at midnight on New Year’s Eve.
The intended targets reportedly included facilities associated with two U.S.-based companies, as well as vehicles and personnel linked to immigration enforcement.
The defendants named in the complaint are Audrey Illeene Carroll, Zachary Aaron Page, Dante Gaffield, and Tina Lai.
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Monday that the FBI disrupted the alleged plot before any devices were deployed, crediting coordinated law enforcement efforts with preventing potential mass harm in Los Angeles and Orange counties.
Federal authorities emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing.
No additional details about the specific targets or methods were immediately released.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Multiple people were injured after a U-Haul truck drove into a crowd during an Iranian protest on Veterans Avenue in Los Angeles on Sunday, according to police and eyewitness accounts.
The incident occurred near the federal building at 1338 Veteran Avenue, where demonstrators had gathered for a pro–Pahlavi, anti-regime rally.
Video circulating on social media shows a U-Haul truck bearing political slogans related to Iran’s monarchy entering the area of the protest and moving directly through a group of demonstrators.
Witnesses reported that as the truck approached the crowd, several protesters attempted to block its path, striking the vehicle and trying to pull the driver out.
In some footage, individuals can be seen attempting to remove or cover slogans displayed on the truck. Despite these efforts, the driver continued inching forward and ultimately drove into people in the crowd.
Authorities stated that multiple individuals were injured in the incident.
While no fatalities have been confirmed, witnesses described the situation as chaotic and potentially deadly.
Emergency medical personnel responded to the scene and treated victims, while law enforcement worked to secure the area.
Police said individuals on the ground attempted to confront the person inside the U-Haul prior to the vehicle moving through the crowd.
Officers subsequently established a perimeter and began moving demonstrators away from the emergency response zone to allow first responders to operate safely.
The Los Angeles Police Department has not yet released the identity of the driver or confirmed whether the incident is being investigated as an intentional act or a traffic-related offense.
Officials indicated that the investigation is ongoing and that further details will be provided as they become available.